History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 69

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1302

USA > Ohio > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 69

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The Smutter Factory of M. Deal originated in 1868, when Mr. Deal began the manufac- ture of the "California Smutter," a machine for taking smut out of wheat, a most valuable invention for wheat growers and dealers. Mr. Deal subsequently made a number of improve- ments to the original patent and manufactured the machine in 36 different styles. The factory employed some 25 men and had a capacity of

500 machines per year. Over 600 local agen- cies were established in the United States, Canada, South America, and England, and from $60,000 to $75,000 worth of machines were shipped annually.

In 1860 S. A. Bowers and J. W. Delancy erected flour mills near the site of the Dear- dorf steam saw-mill, and they were known as the Sandusky Valley Mills. Mr. Delancy re- tired in 1861 and the mills were carried on by Mr. Bowers until 1872, when he sold out to C. T. Miller. The latter failing shortly after, Mr. Bowers took them back, and being subse- quently joined by Mr. Delancy, the old firm of Bowers & Delancy, continued their opera- tion for many years.

Mr. Delancy managed the mill after Mr. Bowers had retired but later sold out and the plant is at present owned and operated by Pin- yerd Brothers.

The Dostal Brothers' Brewery was origi- nally established in 1858 by Henry Anthony. In the following spring G. Donnenwirth, Jr., became a partner, and in the fall the firm be- came G. Donnenwirth & Son, his father taking an interest in the business with him. The bus- iness subsequently passed into the hands of Frank Dick, and was bought in September, 1902 by the Dostal Brothers-John M. and George A. Dostal-who have made the busi- ness a prosperous one, introducing new meth- ods and installing modern machinery. The present plant covers about six acres and the output amounts to about 20,000 barrels an- nually, which is all sold in Ohio.

The Main Street Mills, a prominent indus- try of Bucyrus, were established by Zeigler, Gross & Co., and in October, 1871, the firm of F. & J. Gross was formed, succeeding the old one. The present mills were built in the following May. In 1876 Mr. Zeigler, who had returned to Bucyrus after an absence of several years, became the proprietor of these mills. He has made improvements in the prop- erty from time to time, installing the most modern machinery and the plant is now thor- oughly up-to-date and turns out about 150 barrels of flour per day. Since 1877 these mills have been one of the standard industries of the city.

The Van Loozen Multi-Colored Press Com- pany was incorporated in April, 1909 with a

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY

capital of $150,000, and in the fall of that year a large modern building was erected at the corner of East Warren and Failor streets, 40x120 feet. The press manufactured by this company is the invention of Mr. Fred H. Van Loozen and is designed to print six or seven different colors simultaneously. It is radically different in construction from any other print- ing press, possessing many points of superior- ity, and the press has bright prospects for the future. The officers are Fred H. Van Loozen, president ; M. A. Van Loozen, vice president ; M. C. Harhaus, secretary, and W. H. Pick- ing, treasurer.

The Blair Pig Ring Factory-The useful contrivances which form the product of this factory were invented many years ago by Elias Blair and consist of the hog anti-rooter device and the hog snout ring. The business has al- ways been a prosperous one and the Blair de- vices fill a place that has not been usurped by any other article on the market.

The Bucyrus Husking Glove Company, of Bucyrus, whose place of business is near the southeast corner of the Public Square, was started by Mr. H. S. Blair, about twenty-five years ago, on the third floor of the E. Blair Block, on Sandusky street. The business was later moved to the old German Lutheran church (afterward used as an Armory), and still later-about twelve years ago-removal was made to the present location. The con- cern is engaged in the manufacture of husking gloves, husking pins, hook huskers, mittens, wrist supporters, motorman's palms, etc., and is the oldest firm making husking gloves to- day. The product is sold to jobbers from New York to the Pacific coast. From 25 to 75 peo- ple are employed. Mr. Blair is still proprietor of the business.

The Sommer Motor Company, engaged in the manufacture of motors for trucks of pleas- ure auto-cars, was incorporated in 1907, at Aurora, Ill., by L. A. Sommer, W. N. Baker, Albert Russom and W. H. Reedy, who are its present officers. Through the efforts of the Bucyrus Industrial Association, the concern was induced to move to Bucyrus, coming here in December, 1910. They have a seven-acre site in the eastern part of the city, on the line of the Pennsylvania tracks. Their factory building is a large modern structure, 200X100

feet, and is thoroughly equipped with the most modern machinery. The company is doing an excellent business-all, in fact, that they can handle-and is turning out from 1800 to 2000 motors a year. As they are adding to their equipment, they will have an increased output next year. They employ from 70 to 75 men and have been working overtime since Jan- uary Ist, to the present time (July, 1912).

The Craig Foundry Company of Bucyrus was incorporated in 1911 by W. H. Craig and Walter Kline, with a capital of $30,000. This concern is engaged in the manufacture of light and heavy castings, cold air faces, wall regis- ters, automobile castings, etc. They have an up-to-date plant, covering three acres of ground in the southern part of the city, with good railroad facilities. They also have a large plating plant-probably the most com- plete in the state-for nickel, silver and other plating, and turn out fine oxidized copper work. About fifty men on an average are given employment. Mr. W. H. Craig is pres- ident of the company, with Walter Kline, sec- retary and treasurer, and the board of direc- tors includes also Mr. A. T. Dennis.

The Kelly Manufacturing Company, lo- cated in the south end of Bucyrus, on Galion street, was established about three years ago by T. F. Kelly, its present proprietor, and is engaged in the manufacture of pneumatic water supply systems for irrigation or house- hold purposes, steel burial cases and all kinds of sheet iron work, their product being sold all over the United States. About twelve men are usually employed and the firm is doing a prosperous business.

The Ryder Brass Foundry Company was established in July, 1910, and was incorporated in October of the same year at $10,000. The concern is engaged in the manufacture of brass, bronze and aluminum castings, mangan- ese bronze, phosphor bronze and special al- loys, turning out castings for all purposes. The president is W. H. Whitmore, of Akron, Ohio; Elizabeth W. Ryder is vice president, and P. H. Ryder, secretary, treasurer and man- ager. The company's factory is located in the northern end of the town just east of North Sandusky street.

D. Picking & Co .- This firm engaged in the manufacture of copper kettles, was estab-

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lished in 1874 by D. Picking, who is now de- ceased. The business is now carried on by his sons, C. F. and W. H. Picking, and is in a prosperous condition. From 3000 to 4000 kettles a year are manufactured.

The Crooks-Uhle Manufacturing Company, located at No. 113 E. Charles street, Bucyrus, was founded in 1908, the partners being Fred- erick E. Uhle and his son-in-law, Earl G. Crooks. They are general machinists and are specially engaged in the manufacture of chil- dren's folding sulkeys, the "go-cart runner" being an invention of Mr. Crooks. The busi- ness is increasingly prosperous, a large demand having been created for the firm's special pro- duct.

The Bucyrus Copper Kettle Works-This industry was practically started in 1873, when Jacob Geiger and Daniel Picking, then en- gaged in the hardware business, began the manufacture of copper kettles for boiling ap- ple butter, an important industry in those days. Later Mr. Geiger sold his hardware interests to Mr. Picking and in partnership with Phillip E. Bush established a manufactory on the corner of N. Railroad and Lane streets. Subsequent improvements have given this fac- tory dimensions of 85x90 feet. The business was conducted under the style of Geiger & Bush from 1889 until the death of Mr. Bush in 1907, since which time Mr. Geiger has been sole proprietor. The plant is well equipped and the business is in a flourishing condition.

The Monument and Marble Works of Wil- liam H. Keel were started by him at No. 220 So. Walnut street, Bucyrus, in 1878, and at one time, before the introduction of machinery, he was able to give steady employment to 24 people. He is a skillful workman in marble and granite and makes his own designs. His business is one of the old established ones of Bucyrus.

Colter & Co .- In 1902 Mr. Jacob Colter came to Bucyrus and started a saw-mill; a planing-mill was added to this in 1906 and a large business has since been built up in all kinds of house and building material. Since 1905 Mr. Peter Conkle has been a partner in the concern. The plant of this firm covers nine acres of land, and an average of 400,000 feet of lumber is kept on hand.

The Brokensword Stone Company, capi-

talized at $10,000, is engaged in quarrying stone six miles northwest of Bucyrus, and has an office in the city. About sixty-five men are employed. Dr. John A. Chesney is president of the company, P. J. Carroll, vice president and general manager; and William H. Picker- ington, treasurer.

Charles Arnold is engaged in the manufac- ture of native wines in Bucyrus, having been engaged in this business since about 1895. His specialties are Delaware, Catawba and Claret and he has specially constructed cellars for the storing of his product. He has built up a prosperous business.

The Patterson Manufacturing Company is a recently established concern engaged in the manufacture of fire-escapes and structural steel work and bids fair to become one of the city's important industries.

The Ruhl Carriage Works, located at No. 428 E. Mansfield street, are engaged in the manufacture of buggies, carriages, wagons and the "Ruhl" storm-tops. George S. Ruhl is the proprietor.

The Seegar Brothers have carriage shops at No. 425-427 S. Walnut street.

In addition to the industries already men- tioned, Charles Breisinger & Son have a brick manufacturing plant on Jump street; C. F. Bonebrake is engaged in the manufacture of cement blocks on South Jones street. The Bucyrus Hydraulic Cement Block Company, manufacturers of cement blocks, have office and works on E. Middletown street; The Chat- field Bending Works are located south of the town, and are engaged in the manufacture of wheels, rims and other bent wood stock; The New York Blower Company, manufacturers of heating, ventilating and drying apparatus, blowers, fans, etc., are located on W. Warren street.

The Tyler Organ Company was established in Galion in 1879, its location being on the northwest corner of the Square. It was sub- sequently removed to the old planing-mill on So. Market street, near the P. & O. Railroad depot. The proprietors were Messrs. Tyler and Whitney, both fine musicians. The com- pany did a fairly good business for some years.

The Kunkel Carriage Works, of Galion, were established many years ago, by L. K. Kunkel. Subsequently-about 1876-the firm

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became Kunkel, Schupp & Helfrich, and so re- mained up to 1884. Mr. Kunkel died in 1893, and the business is now controlled by the heirs, with W. H. Kunkel as general manager. It was removed to its present location on No. Market street in 1886. The Kunkel Carriage Works are specialty builders of custom-made vehicles, and vehicles requiring special con- struction, manufacturing also buggies, car- riages, wagons, ambulances, pall buggies, casket wagons, etc. They are doing a pros- perous business and are among the leading business enterprises of Galion.

The Galion Buggy Company, a large and prosperous concern, was established by Mr. A. Howard, in November, 1885, at a location on So. Market street, near the Public Square. Four additional buildings were erected about 1889 on Church street-all up-to-date and one being especially large. The company manu- factures all kinds of buggies, phaetons, car- riages, surreys, etc., and has a large wholesale trade throughout Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and other western states. About 2500 to 3500 jobs are turned out yearly and the average number of employees is about ninety. The old factory on So. Market street is still made use of and the office is situated at the same loca- tion.

The Sandusky Cooperage and Lumber Com- pany was established in Galion in January, 1909, by H. R. Huntington. The plant is lo- cated on a 9 1-2 acre site in the southern part of the city, near the Erie tracks, and includes four modern buildings with up-to-date equip- ment. When working full force about 50 men are employed. This company has twenty-one cooper shops distributed through the different states of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsyl- vania and Virginia, the principal part of the business being the manufacture of barrels. No barrels are made in the Galion plant, the local operations being limited chiefly to staves and hoops. The works have a capacity of 10,000,- ooo barrel staves and 15,000,000 hoops a year.

The Buckeye Wheel Company of Galion was incorporated December 21, 1904, with a capital stock of $150,000. The organizers and original officers were J. W. White, of Ft. Wayne, president; J. S. Morris, of Ft. Wayne, vice president; E. Flickinger of Galion, secre- tary and general manager ; Jacob Keene, treas-

urer; and Frank Flickinger, superintendent. The few changes made in the official board are as follows: Frank Flickinger is now secre- tary and manager, in place of E. Flickinger; Edward Flickinger is treasurer and George Schelb, superintendent. The product of the company consists of buggy, carriage and light wagon wheels, and light automobile wheels. The output averages about 250 sets per day of wheels for horse-drawn vehicles, and 100 sets of automobile wheels. The plant of this con- cern is located on East Main street, close to the Big Four tracks, the site covering four acres, while the buildings have about 200,000 square feet of floor space. The product is sold mostly to manufacturers in Ohio, New York, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri.

The Weaver Bending Company was incor- porated in 1892 by Charles Ness, John Weaver, Abe Jenkinson and H. E. Smith, with a capi- tal stock of $15,000. After the first year Mr. Smith bought out the other members of the company and has since remained the sole pro- prietor. The plant covers two acres, the build- ings having 10,000 feet of floor space, and are located in the south end of Galion, near the Erie depot and on a siding of the Big Four Railroad. The concern manufacturers bent felloes, spokes, and hardwood lumber. The product is sold by wholesale, in carload lots. About. 40 men are usually employed.

The Plack Carriage Works was established about 1892, by Andrew Plack, in a location just off Main street. He retired in 1898, the business being purchased by his son, H. L. Plack, who is now the sole proprietor. A change of location was made to the Central Livery barn, but, after continuing there for some time, the works were burned, about eight years ago, and the factory was then established in its present location on East Atwood street, with a repository on South Market street. A large part of the business consists of repair- ing, and custom work is carried on in addition, the concern manufacturing any kind of horse- drawn vehicle to order. The principal spe- cialty is the manufacture of storm tops, of which a large number are made yearly.

The Galion Lumber Company-The busi- ness carried on by this company had its origin in 1865. when F. W. Johnson and William

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Patrick entered into the lumber and coal busi- ness. Subsequently the firm of Johnson Lins- ley & Co., became proprietors and in 1881 were doing a business of $150,000 annually and employing forty men. They were suc- ceeded by Armstrong, Daily & Co., who con- ducted the plant for a while. Then the Galion Lumber Company, a partnership, was formed, consisting of D. Mackey, P. M. Daily and G.

A. Daily, Mr. C. C. Coyle buying out the Dailys in 1897. The company was incorpo- rated under its present style in 1902, being capitalized at $20,000, with $30,000 surplus. They are engaged in general lumber and mill work and in the manufacture of bank and store fixtures. They are also contractors on building work and are engaged in the erection of the buildings for the Telephone-Improve- ment plant, a mammoth concern now being established in Galion. The plant of the Galion Lumber Company covers about eight acres. The vice president is H. Pounder, with C. C. Coyle, secretary and treasurer.

The Gledhill Lumber Yards and Mill, lo- cated on Bloomer street, Galion, near the Big Four tracks, cover about two and a half acres of ground and give employment usually to twelve or more men. This concern was founded about 40 years ago by Joseph King, who conducted the business for many years. It was purchased in 1906 by A. C. Gledhill, who is now sole proprietor, who is engaged in the manufacture of lumber, sash, doors, and in general mill work. Lately an additional factory has been built for the manufacture of concrete blocks. About twelve men are em- ployed. Mr. Gledhill has also recently-July 10, 19II-leased a plant in Crestline for the manufacture of lumber and mill work, which employs about eight men.

The Ohio Mausoleum Company, the main office of which was established in Galion, O., in March, 1912, was organized in Shelby, Ohio, in 1910, to exploit the patents of Grover C. Hunter on mortuary chapels and compart- ment mausoleums. These sanitary mausoleums contain from 50 to 1000 or more compart- ments, or small rooms, designed for the final occupancy of the members of several different families in a community. The rooms or com- partments are arranged in tiers, one above another, with a corridor and chapel, and means

provided for abundance of light and ventila- tion. Funeral services can be conducted within the mausoleum, those taking part being pro- tected from the inclemency of the weather. The entire plan has many interesting features and obvious advantages. The company con- trols the Hunter patents, which have been in- dorsed by noted health authorities and boards of health throughout the country, and license others to construct and erect these community mausoleums or above-ground tombs. The en- terprise is one of great possibilities, and, while the cost of such interment is less than ground burial, it offers a wide margin of profit, at- tractive to investors. The officers and board of directors are as follows: G. C. Hunter, president; O. J. Zeigler, of Richwood, O., vice president; John K. Weiser, of Shelby, secretary. The board of directors consists of the above officers together with Messrs. J. W. McCarron, B. E. Place and J. W. Weiser.

The Detweiler Manufacturing Company, engaged in the manufacture of automobile stearing gears, was incorporated in 1909 by H. B. Detweiler, F. S. Wisterman, H. Gott- diener, A. W. Monroe and L. M. Liggett. The capital stock was $50,000, which was in- creased to $100,000 in September, 1911. L. M. Liggett is president and treasurer; A. W. Monroe, secretary and W. E. Dunston, general manager. The company's factory is located on Primrose street near the Big Four tracks, and the business is in a prosperous condition.

The Galion Iron Works Company, an ex- tensive concern engaged in the manufacture of culvert pipe, road machinery, contractors' and road makers' supplies, was incorporated in February, 1907 with a capital stock of $100,000, which was increased in 1912 to $250,000. The company started with a small building, 100x60 feet, which was enlarged the second year by an addition of 50 feet more. The third year another addition of 100 feet was added, and this was followed in 1911 by an extension of 108 feet, these buildings being all two stories high, with fire-proof out-shops for oils, paints, etc. Another larger building is now used for a pattern storage house. Among the other products of the company is an im- proved culvert or sluice-pipe device, the in- vention of Mr. D. C. Boyd, secretary and gen- eral manager of the company, who has also in-

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vented and patented other useful contrivances. The company's road machines are sold all over America. About 200 people are employed, with ten salaried men on the road, and there are branch offices at Pittsburg, Pa., Memphis, Tenn., and Atlanta, Ga. The other officers of the company are H. Gottdiener, president ; Frank W. Faber, vice president, and G. L. Steefel, treasurer.

The Galion Handle and Manufacturing Company was established at Galion in 1907. It is an incorporated concern capitalized at $15,000, its officers being Anton Kahn, presi- dent; Allen Miller, J. S. Winemiller, secretary, treasurer and general manager, and M. A. Miller, with a board of five directors. The company is engaged in the manufacture of handles and woodwork, and the output of farm tool handles-about three car loads a month-are sold in England and Germany. Employment is given to about thirty people.

The Golden Metallic Grave Vault Company, of Galion, was incorporated in January, 1905, with a capital stock of $25,000, which in Jan- uary, 1909, was increased to $100,000. The original officers were: J. W. Cupp, president ; W. F. L. Block, vice president; A. W. Mon- roe, secretary and treasurer; A. A. Arnold, general manager, and T. F. Kelley, superin- tendent. The works of this concern are lo- cated in the northeastern part of Galion, near the Big Four tracks. This company is en- gaged in the manufacture of steel grave vaults and shipping cases and was the first company to construct an open end grave vault. The vaults range in size from that required for a child's body to the "Mammoth," weighing as much as 500 pounds. About fifty people are employed and sales are pushed all over the country. The present officers are : L. M. Leg- gett, president; W. F. L. Block, vice president ; A. W. Monroe, secretary and treasurer, and A. A. Arnold, superintendent. E. P. Monroe is sales manager and the company has an of- fice on the southwest corner of the Public Square.

The American Steel Grave Vault Company of Galion was incorporated in April, 1908, by F. Unckrich, Jos. King, M. A. Curtiss and J. Petri, being capitalized at $25,000, which was increased two years ago to $50,000, since which time the volume of business has been

doubled. The concern manufactures the burg- lar, water and vermin-proof "American Vault," for burial purposes, the product be- ing sold to undertakers all over the United States. The works are located on Bloomer street, close to the Big Four freight depot, the main building being 75x100 feet. Another building, 40x80 feet, has just been erected. The present board of directors consists of the officers previously mentioned, with the addition of Messrs. B. Place and C. Bittner. About thirty men are employed, and the company is doing a good business, with bright prospects for the future.

E. M. Freese & Co., of Galion, O., manu- facturers of clay working machinery. This business was established at Plymouth, Ohio, in 1881 and has had a steady and substantial growth since that time. An increase in their facilities was rendered necessary by the ex- pansion of their trade and in the fall of 1891 the works were removed to their present quar- ters in Galion. From time to time new build- ings have been erected to provide additional space. These works are among the finest, most extensive and best equipped for the manu- facture of this class of machinery. The buildings are of brick, elegant in appearance and of substantial construction, containing more than 46,000 feet of floor space, are equipped with improved machinery, and lighted, warmed and ventilated in accordance with the most modern practice. A few years ago the company thought it advisable to make their own castings, and so took over the old Homer foundry, adjacent to their factory buildings. This is now operated as one de- partment of the business and turns out several tons of castings every day, which are used in making the various clay-working machines. A railway siding runs into the grounds, from which the raw material is unloaded and the finished product loaded on cars direct. The machinery built by E. M. Freese & Co. is found in all parts of this country, from Cali- fornia to New Brunswick and from British Columbia to Florida, and also in some foreign countries. It is used in a large proportion of the most extensive and progressive works for the manufacture of building, paving and fire- brick, hollow ware, fireproofing, drain tile, etc. The office of these works is equipped with

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 69

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850- Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1302

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1302